Social Security Lawyers in Palo Alto, California | Palo Alto, CA Social Security Attorneys | Santa Clara County, California SSI SSDI Law Firms

Palo Alto, California Social Security Attorneys

Does a disability make it difficult to find or keep a job? Social Security disability income (SSDI), and Supplemental Security Income (SSI),were created for individuals who are not able to work due to a disability. The federal SSDI and SSI system is complicated and not easy to understand. Whether you are a first time applicant or you have been previously rejected for SSI and/or SSDI, an experienced Palo Alto Social Security lawyer can help you. If you are afflicted by a disability that prevents you from working, it may be time to talk with a Social Security lawyer now. Contact an experienced Palo Alto Social Security lawyer today by filling out the form on the site.
 

How SSI and SSDI Can Help You
 

Statistically, between 65% and 70% of initial applications for Social Security benefits are denied nationally. You do not have to be among the number of people who fail to qualify for benefits. If you are disabled, you can increase the chances of qualifying for Social Security benefits by contacting an experienced Palo Alto Social Security attorney. Your Social Security lawyer can help you make a winning case for SSI or SSDI benefits. You do not have to go through this process alone. The advantages of hiring an experienced Social Security professional should not be ignored. Especially when you consider the consequences of losing a Social Security request for benefits. Winning your claim can mean the difference between a qualify life and one that is fraught with difficulty and uncertainty. If are disabled and unable to make a living on your own, you deserve to receive the benefits afforded by the Social Security Administration. Those who qualify may receive monthly checks, and medical coverage through Medicaid or Medicare, food stamps, and additional services provided by the state.
 

Palo Alto, California Social Security Attorneys: What do They Charge?
 

Since the people who need a Social Security attorney usually do not have a source of income, Social Security lawyers charge fees that make their services affordable. Generally, you do not pay a Social Security lawyer unless he or she is able to win your claim and get you benefits. This means they only get paid if you get paid. A Social Security attorney is legally not allowed to charge more than 25% of the back pay/past due benefits awarded to you, up to a maximum of $6,000. Moreover, you are protected because the government must approve the attorney’s fee before you are required to pay your lawyer for his services. After filling out the questionnaire on the website, an experienced Palo Alto Social Security attorney will call or email you to discuss the specifics of your case.
 

Eligibility for either SSDI or SSI
 

Two separate programs provide disability benefits in the social security system: SSI (Supplemental Security Income) and SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance). In order to qualify for Social Security disability payments, you must have an injury that prevents you from working for one year or more or an injury that will result in death. Both programs are quite different in requirements and administration but they both pay a benefit on a monthly basis.
 

1.    How is disability defined in Palo Alto, California? - In order to receive Social Security disability benefits, you must meet the Social Security Administration's
        standard for disability.
        a.    The term disability is defined as being unable to engage in “substantial gainful activity” [SGA] due to a of a physical or mental impairment which has lasted
                - or is expected to last - for a minimum of 12 months, or is expected to result in death.
2.    Is working in Palo Alto, California a factor in obtaining Social Security disability benefits? - If you are working in Palo Alto and the work meets the definition of
       substantial gainful activity, you are considered able to work and, therefore, you are not disabled and would not qualify for Social Security disability benefits.
       In 2012, if you earn more than $1010 per month (after taxes), you are probably not eligible for Social Security, unless there special circumstances exist.
3.    Do You Have a Severe Impairment? - In order to be considered severely impaired, you must have a medical problem that significantly limits your physical or
       mental ability to perform basic work activities. The impairment must be expected to last for 12 months or result in death.
4.    Does Your Medical Condition Match One of SSA’s Listed Impairments? - The Social Security Administration (SSA) has promulgated a list of medical conditions
        ["Listing of Impairments."] of such great severity that the SSA considers people who with the conditions disabled;
        1.    If your condition is not included in the SSA's Listing of Impairments, you have to ask yourself the following question in regard to obtaining Social Security
               Disability Benefits:
               1.  Am I able to do the same type of work I was able to do before the onset of the disability? - If the SSA determines that you are able to continue doing the same
                    work as you did before your medical condition you may have difficulty proving eligibility. The measure of how capable you are at doing your job after the
                   onset of your disability as opposed to before the onset of the disability is called the Residual Functional Capacity (RFC). In determining your eligibility for
                   benefits, the SSA compares your current RFC with the physical and mental demands of your past jobs. If you are physically and mentally able to do a job that
                   you have held within the last fifteen years, then SSA considers you "not disabled." If you are not able to perform any of your past jobs,
                   then ask yourself:
5.    Despite Your Medical Condition, Can You Do Other Work? - If you are unable to perform work similar to what you have done in the past, then the SSA will
       determine whether you are able to perform other types of work rather than collect benefits.
 

Can Children in Palo Alto, California Qualify for Disability Benefits? Yes, but What is the Criteria?
 

Financially, needy children under age 18 who have serious medical conditions may be eligible for Children's SSI. A child is disabled for SSI if the child is not working and earning more than the SGA level and has a medical condition or combination of conditions that cause "marked and severe functional limitations." Medical evidence documenting the child's medical condition is essential.
 

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI): The Federal Program for Those With a Work History – Get Help From a Knowledgeable Palo Alto, CA Disability Insurance Lawyer Immediately

SSDI provides disability payments to Americans who can demonstrate a work history of paying taxes into the Social Security system. To qualify for SSDI benefits, you must prove (1) you have a disability that prevents you from working for at least one year, and (2) that you worked and paid social security taxes over the course of the previous years (the number of years depends on your age). SSDI recipients may also qualify for Medicare. Contact an experienced Palo Alto SSDI attorney today to learn more about qualifying for SSDI.
 

Supplemental Security Income: Your Final Safety Net
 

Supplemental Security Income, called SSI for short, is available to people who suffer from a disability regardless of work history. SSI pays less in benefits than SSDI but unlike SSDI, you don’t need to have a work history in order to qualify. SSI beneficiaries may also qualify for Medicaid and Food Stamps and other state welfare programs. Contact an experienced Palo Alto Social Security SSI attorney today to learn more.
 

Proving a Disability: The Process of Applying for Social Security and Appealing a Review Board Decision – Palo Alto, California Social Security Disability Appeal Lawyers
 

To apply for Social Security, you can start an application online, in person, or by calling the social security administration directly. The process can take upward of six months to review your case. In the event that the government denies your social security application, you have the right to appeal the decision. At the appeal, you can represent yourself or you can hire a Palo Alto Social Security lawyer can represent you.
 

Below is a list of some of the illnesses and injuries that have qualified for a disability under Social Security:
 

Local SSA Office of Palo Alto, CA
 

Low Cost Hospitals in and near Palo Alto, CA
 

Pharmacies in Palo Alto, CA
 

Palo Alto Weather (Monthly Averages)
 

Palo Alto social security disability attorneys serve clients throughout Western California, including Alameda, Belmont, Berkeley, Brisbane, Burlingame, Campbell, Castro Valley, Cupertino, Daly City, Foster City, Fremont, Gilroy, Hayward, Los Gatos, Menlo Park, Milpitas, Monterey, Morgan Hill, Mountain View, Newark, Oakland, Pacifica, Palo Alto, Redwood City, Richmond, Salinas, San Bruno, San Carlos, San Francisco, San Jose, San Leandro, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Saratoga, South San Francisco, Sunnyvale, Watsonville, areas in the vicinity of Mineta San Jose International Airport, San Francisco International Airport, and other communities in Santa Clara County.